In the "Ask Linda" columns I answer questions from readers who are uncertain how to proceed correctly under the Rules of Golf. No names are used – all questioners are referred to as Lulu (or Lou, in the case of male writers), in honor of the smart and sassy comic character.
Please send questions from your personal golf experiences to: llmillergolf@gmail.com.

Friday, March 27, 2015

Ask Linda #1027-Ball in animal hole

Linda, never seen this one before or heard of it happening:

A friend of mine hits a ball that runs up a tree and drops
back down in the rough (extra info). We know exactly where it was suppose to be,
but can't find it for a minute until we notice it is lying in a hole that is
about four inches deep and three inches wide. We grant him relief.

The question:

I realize all holes made by animals are now a free drop, but
how do I tell if a limb fell from the tree sometime before and made this
hole (or some other non-animal reason), or whether it was actually
caused by an animal?

Second scenario: Is a man considered to be an animal? If
someone slams the iron into the soil and creates a hole and then doesn't repair
such, what is the call when finding your ball in such?

Thanks,

Lou from Georgia

Dear Lou,

A hole made by a burrowing animal should be recognizable. In
my experience, it is smooth, fairly regular in shape, and beveled at the
opening. It should not be difficult to differentiate a gouge made by a falling
tree limb from an entrance into an animal burrow.

Man is an animal, but he is not a burrowing animal. There is no relief if your ball lands in a
depression made by an angry, inconsiderate golfer. Someone in his group should
have asked him to repair the damage, or repaired it himself if he feared
mentioning it.